All Ireland League Roundup

It was not a good start for the three Munster sides in Division 1A of the All-Ireland League, as all three sides lost, but Thomond making a return to the All-Ireland League gotoff to a winning start.

Newcomers Nenagh Ormond began their campaign in Division 1A with a 23-13 home defeat by Old Belvedere. The Tipperary side led 6-3 at half time with two penalties from Conor McMahon. The visitors dominated after the break and Nenagh’s only score was a try by Derek Corcoran which McMahon converted.

Trailing 27-0 at one stage in the opening half Cork Constitution’s second half revival fell short as they lost 27-22 on the back pitch in the Aviva Stadium. Matthew Bowen, Danny Sheahan and Cian Barry scored tries for the Temple Hill side. Dylan Hicks kicked two conversions, and George Comber added a penalty.

Young Munster lost away to Ballynahinch 35-33. The Limerick side trailed 28-7 but their second half fight back just came up short as they picked up two points from the contest. Hubert Gilvary scored two tries for the Cookies and Shay McCarthy, Christian Foley and Paul Allen got one apiece. Kelvin Lenihan kicked four conversions.

In Division 1B, Garryowen won their Munster derby clash at home to U.C.C.  22-19. The students led 12-8 at the interval and had two tries from Christopher Barrett and one by Stephen O’Shaughnessy. Harry Murphy kicked two conversions. Garryowen replied with tries from Alan Fitzgerald, Max Clein, and Mark Fitzgerald. Tom Woods kicked two conversions, and Lachlan Stewart added a penalty for the Light Blues.

Highfield edged out Queens University 21-14 at Woodleigh Park. Mark Dorgan and Nicky Greene each scored a try for the home side, and both were converted by Shane O’Riordan. They were also awarded a penalty try.

Shannon playing their first game in Division 2A, got off to a losing start, when a second half revival saw Cashel come from 16-12 down at half time to win 26-19. Josh Costello scored Shannon’s try. Cillian O’Connor converted and kicked three penalties and Neil Cronin also kicked a penalty. Rob Carney and Tim Townsend each scored two tries for cashel and John O’Sullivan kicked three conversions.

Old Crescent started their campaign with a 16-11 home win over Ballymena. Timmy Duggan kicked scored Crescent’s try and Jeff Williams kicked converted and added three penalties.

A fighting second half come back saw U. L. Bohemian come from 21-12 down at half time to beat Navan 33-21 at Balreask Old in their Division 2B encounter. Oisin Fagan was U.L. Bohs hero scoring two tries and four conversions. Joel Rowentree, Joe Johnson and Zac O’Loughlin also scored tries for the winners.

In Division 2C, Thomond defeated Bective Rangers 29-22 at Liam Fitzgerald Park. Suliano Mainavolau, Ryan O’Donovan Ahern, Riann O’Dwyer and Colin Slater were Thomond’s try scorers. Evan Cusack kicked three conversions and a penalty.

Clonmel made a winning start with a 33-27 home win against Ballyclare. Brandon Delicato scored two tries for Clonmel and Ben Masuka and Tom Ross were Clonmel’s other try scorers. Josef O’Connor kicked three penalties and two conversions.

A strong finish by Midleton saw them defeat Bruff 40-25 at the Towns Park. A try by Shane Duggan and two penalties by Paul Collins gave Bruff an early 11-0 lead, but the home side hit back with tries from Joannes du Toit, Teddy Coleman, Conor McCarthy, Kyle Read, Gary Downey and Seamus Lyne. Conall Doyle kicked five conversions.

Dolphin despite leading 17-7 at half time lost away to Belfast Harlequins 33-24.

What a great start for Ennis in the All-Ireland Women’s League, as they began their campaign with a bonus point 29-26 away win at Tullow. The Clare side trailed 19-7 at half time but rallied after the break to take the spoils. Caoifhionn Conway Morrissey scored two tries for the winners and Saher Hamdan and Megan O’Connor got one each. Emma Keane kicked three conversions and a penalty.

Holders U.L. Bohemian had a 21-12 away win against Blackrock College with tries from Aoibhe O’Flynn, Eilis Cahill and Chloe Pearce. Caitriona Finn converted all three tries.

Ballincollig lost their opening game at home to Galwegians 29-19. The home side led 14-10 at half time with tries from Eve Prendergast and Aoife Madigan, both of which Emma Connolly converted. Kate O’Sullivan got their onlyscore in the second half an unconverted try.,

RESULTS-

Energia All Ireland League Division 1A:Ballynahinch 35,Young Munster 31;

Lansdowne 27,Cork Constituion 22;

Nenagh Ormond 13,Old Belvedere 23;

St. Mary’s College 32,Clontarf 21;

U.C.D. 15,Terenure College 24;

Division 1B:Dublin University 36,Blackrock College 26;

Garryowen 21,U.C.C. 19;

Highfield 21,Queens University 14;

Instonians 32,Naas 13;

Old Wesley 21,City of Armagh 12;

Division 2A:Galway Corinthians 45,Banbridge 8;

Greystones 24,Dungannon 31;

Old Crescent 16,Ballymena 11;

Shannon 19,Cashel 26;

Wanderers 14,M.U. Barnhall 23;

Division 2B:Buccaneers 17,Galwegians 38;

Malone 26,Enniscorthy 17;

Navan 21,U.L. Bohemian 33;

Rainey 13,Clogher Valley 15;

Skerries 17,Sligo 31;

Division 2C:Belfast Harlequins 33,Dolphin 24;

Clonmel 33,Ballyclare 27;

Midleton 40,Bruff 25;

Monkstown 57,Malahide 20;

Thomond 29,Bective Rangers 22;

Energia Women’s All Ireland League:Ballincollig 19,Galwegians 29;

Blackrock College 12,U.L. Bohemian 21;

Railway Union 19,Old Belvedere 34;

Tullow 26,Ennis 29;

Wicklow 44,Cooke 0;